14 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



I therefore at the time made an estimate aud allowed the natives to 

 kill seal to cover the amount. After taking these, the natives, with a 

 petition, requested me to extend the number. The petition and a trans- 

 lation of the same please find inclosed. It is signed by the three chiefs 

 and nine of the principal men of the island. 



After giving a careful examination to each point of this petition, I 

 concluded, in consideration of other circumstances having occurred 

 bearing upon tlie permission given to the steamer Alexander by Gen. 

 G. H. Thomas, indorsed with authority from the Secretary of the 

 Treasury (since proved to be one of God's providences), the natives 

 being dependent on taking skins for their sustenance, and facts repre- 

 sented in their petition, I extended the permission to take more skins, 

 the petitioners assuring me that they would in no manner take seals 

 that would eventually accrue to the disadvantage of the Government, 

 to theirs, or to the seal rookeries, thus aflbrding the commander of these 

 islands resources whereby their sustenance could be secured. 



Tlie whole number of skins taken is 62,757, which are now on the 

 island, thus allowing to each soul 28 cents a day during one year. 



I also beg leave to state a sad casualty connected with the cutter 

 Lincoln when at this island on October 9, 1809. The captain's gig, 

 while the crew were pulling her ashore from the vessel, was capsized by 

 a heavy breaker, and three of the men were, unfortunately, drowned. 

 Every endeavor was used to save them. The bodies were soon after 

 recovered, and on the next day they were suitably and decently interred. 



I would also state that on Sunday, November 6, 1869, a gale of wind 

 commenced from the south aud east, increasing rapidly until the 7th 

 (Monday morning). The sea, as far as the eye could reach to the east, 

 was a continual bed of foam, with heavy breakers vieing with each in 

 size and anger, the wind blowing fearfully, making it almost impossible 

 to stem its fury, the water rising very high, breaking over the beach, 

 completely inundating the lower part of the village, so that a number 

 of the inhabitants' dwellings were flooded, and they were obliged to 

 move. The water in its course undermined a storehouse containing 

 300 days' Government rations for Lieutenant Mast, and other private 

 property. The floor of the building was entirely washed away, the 

 water in its strength carrying nearly all the contents into the sea. A 

 very small portion of the stores was saved in a badly damaged condition. 



It was an act of Providence that the steamer Alexander yv^ us allowed 

 to bring provisions, otherwise there would have been great suffering 

 and privation here, and at this date (March 19, 1870) we are nearly 

 destitute of provisions; flour is entirely gone, aud but a few hundred 

 pounds of old ship bread on hand. Of sugar, molasses, and butter we 

 have none. 



The natives on the coast north of here, and all those of the Aleutian 

 group, are dependent on this island for skins to cover their large canoes 

 (bi-dar-ros) and small canoes (bi-darks). I have allowed all sea lion and 

 old-wig hides, and oil to soak the same, to be shipped to Unalaska, 

 from which place they are distributed by vessels touching at the difter- 

 ent places free of expense. The amount sent this last season is 527 

 hides and 34 barrels of oil and blubber. 



August 20, 1869, tlie steamer Alexander took 6,707 seal skins left here 

 by Hutchinson, Kohl & Co. in the season of 1868. 



The army transport steamer Ncwhern arrived yesterday, bringing 

 fresh troops for these islands. Lieutenant Huggins relieving Lieutenant 

 Mast. 



